Colonial Bengal Tour

Discover historic Calcutta, which was the capital of British India until 1911. Begin your explorations with a heritage walking tour that includes the Writer’s Building – originally the headquarters of the East India Company. Then, visit the splendid Victoria Memorial – often called the ‘Taj of the Raj’; the poignant Park Street Cemetery and St. John’s Church. Then, enjoy a traditional Bengali lunch at a private home before driving to North Calcutta, the bastion of Bengali culture and once home to many pioneering Bengali merchants and traders. Later this afternoon, enjoy tea at the exclusive Tollygunge Club before returning to your hotel.

Drive north along the Old Grand Trunk Road and spend the day exploring the forgotten colonial towns of Serampore, Chinsura, and Chandannagar, which lie along the Hooghly River. Begin your tour at Serampore, established by the Danes in the 18th century before the British East India Company took it over. Here, visit St Olav’s Church and the Serampore College that showcase the influence of the Danish and the British. Then, continue to Chinsura, where the Hooghly Madarasa (formerly the Dutch Barrack), the Chinsura Court and the official residence of the Chinsura Commissioner will reveal the town’s Dutch and British heritage. Next, after lunch, embark on a cycle rickshaw tour through Chandannagar and discover the town’s French character.

Set off by train to Plassey and see the historic battlefield of Plassey. It is here on 23 June 1757, Robert Clive defeated the Nawab of Bengal and laid the foundation for the British Raj. Then, proceed to Murshidabad, where you will spend the next three nights at the charming Bari Kothi, an 18th-century mansion that has been superbly restored and transformed into a character-rich heritage hotel. This afternoon enjoy traditional Sheherwali cuisine and a tour of this historic Kothi.

Board a country boat and sail along the Baghirathi River (headstream of the Ganges) to Hazarduari Jetty. The historic town of Murshidabad was founded by Emperor Akbar and became renowned as one of Bengal’s most glamorous cities in the 18th century when the Nawab of Bengal shifted the capital from Dacca to Murshidabad. Today, your heritage walking tour of Murshidabad includes a visit to the impressive Hazarduari Palace, which was built by Duncan McLeod in 1837 as a guest house for the Nawab and dominates the waterfront; the striking Katra Mosque modelled after the Kaaba in Mecca; Khushbagh, a tranquil Mughal-style walled garden containing the tombs of Siraj-ud-Daulah and his family and the Kathgola Palace, home of a Jain merchant that has been turned into a museum. You will also visit the Cassimbazar Rajbari, which has been converted into a hotel and houses a small museum. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

This morning visit the fascinating 200-year-old terracotta temples at Baranagar and enjoy a lunch on the Ganges. Then, visit the Tantipara weavers village at Jiaganj before returning to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

Board the morning train to Howrah and then drive to Rajbari Bawali, an utterly charming manor house and an excellent base to relax and discover rural Bengal.

Today is at leisure to relax and enjoy the facilities at your hotel.

Today is at leisure. Alternatively, set off on a guided village walk before discovering the Bon Bibi temples unique to this area and conclude your explorations with a short sunset boat ride along the Ganges.

Today, you will be collected from your hotel and taken to Kolkata International Airport. On arrival, check in for your onward flight.